Relief orthostats from the Hittite period

In the context of classical Greek architecture, orthostates are squared stone blocks much greater in height than depth that are usually built into the lower portion of a wall. They are so called because they seem to stand upright rather than to lie on their sides. In other contexts the English term is usually orthostat. It is typical in Greek architecture for pairs of orthostates to form the thickness of a wall, one serving as the inner and the other serving as the outer face of the wall. Above a course of orthostates, it is common to lay a course of stones spanning the width of the wall and joining its two faces (a binder course). The term has been generalized for use in the description of the architecture of many cultures. In Hittite and Assyrian sculpture, orthostats are often intricately carved. The term may be used more generally of other upright-standing stones, including megalithic menhirs.在古典希腊建筑的语境中，竖长石砌块（orthostates）是一类高度远大于厚度的方形石材构件，通常砌筑于墙体下部区域。该构件之所以得名，是因为其呈直立状态而非侧向铺设。在其他应用场景中，该英文术语的单数形式为orthostat。在希腊建筑的典型做法中，常以两块竖长石砌块构成墙体厚度，一块作为内墙面层，另一块作为外墙面层。在一层竖长石砌块之上，通常会铺设一层贯通墙体宽度、连接内外两面的石材层，即拉结层（binder course）。该术语现已被泛化，用于描述诸多文明的建筑体系。在赫梯（Hittite）与亚述（Assyrian）的雕刻作品中，竖长石砌块常带有繁复精细的雕刻纹饰。该术语的泛指范围还可扩展至其他直立石材，包括巨石独石碑（megalithic menhirs）。